Drum tilting device



Nov. 25, E952 E. MyGARDNER l Q 2,619,372

DRUM TILTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 19, 1949 FIG. 2

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 25, 1952 DRUM TILTING DEVICE Edward Merrill Gardner, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Merrill Brothers, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 19, 1949, Serial No. 128,271

e Claims. l

My invention relates to an improved device for tilting and/or dumping barrels, drums and similar containers.

Many products, such as oils, greases, chemicals and various articles, are packed, shipped or stored in barrels and drums of relatively large capacity. Such containers, as for example steel drums, holding hundreds of pounds of a product, are difcult to tilt or empty. Such containers are awkward to handle without some form of mechanical help, and known types of elevating equipment which might be used for that purpose are too expensive and lack versatility.

The diiculties involved in the tilting and emptying of barrels and drums by hand where their contents must be poured into other containers, such as hoppers, chemical vats or mixing apparatus, indicates the deflnite need for some simple and inexpensive device for effecting these operations.

The primary object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide an effective and inexpensive device for tilting barrels, drums and similar containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the type referred to which will avoid the diiiiculties referred to and the personal dangers previously encountered in the handling of heavy barrels, drums and similar containers.

In accordance with the features of my invention my improved device for tilting barrels, drums and similar containers, for example for emptying their contents, comprises a shackle having spaced members, a clamping member pivotally supported between said members and adapted to swing therein, said clamping member including opposing spaced jaws xed with respect to each other the opposing portions of which are adapted to respectively engage under the bottom ilange or rim of the container and the outer surface thereof with a leverage action.

Barrels, drums and similar containers are conventionally provided with a lower peripheral rim or flange since the bottom head of a drum or barrel is inset in the wall. My improved device therefore is provided with a. pivoted clamping member having jaws in iixed space relation which will hold onto the bottom rim or flange of a barrel to continuously grip the rim regardless of the tilted position of the barrel. In a tilting operation the clamping member pivots or swings in the shackle, which is attached to a chain or rope and carries the necessary weight involved in the tilting or dumping of the barrel.

Since the jaws of the clamping member of the device are fixed with respect to each other, the device will automatically disengage the drum or barrel when the weight is taken ofi the device, as

2 for example, where the drum is lifted by a hoist or other means with respect to the device.

The tilting device advantageously includes a shackle in which the side members form the sides of a clevis and are both laterally oset in one direction intermediate their opposite ends',

and a clamping member having jaws forming asubstantially C-shaped conguration so that the biting ends of the jaws are each provided with a relatively sharp point for engaging respectively the under side of the rim and the outside wall of the barrel. These points of the jaws are furthermore advantageously arranged on a straight line extending at right angles to the pivot pin of the device.

My improved device includes other features of importance, and these, together with an illustrative embodiment of the device are described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken general elevational view showing the improved tilting device in use on a drum, with the device holding the drum in a tilted p0- sition.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in section, of the device, in the position shown in Fig. 1, in engagement with the lower portion of the drum.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. l showing the device holding the lower portion of the drum, with the latter in a position adapted to completely empty its contents.

Fig. 4 is a broken view similar to that of Fig. 2, partly in section, showing the structural features of the tilting device in the position with respect to the drum, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view of the device without the drum, looking up from line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In Fig. 1 the drum tilting device is shown generally at I0 engaging the lower portion of a tilted drum I2, the device IIJ being supported by a chain I4 fixed to an overhead supporting beam or wall I6. In this view the hook on the chain I4 is simply hooked into the upper part of the shackle of the device I0. The upper end of the drum I2 is engaged and supported by a lifting clamp I8, for example the lifting clamp disclosed in the applicants Patent No. 2,393,101, which is adapted to engage and grip the upper rim of the barrel. The clamp I8 is carried on a cable or chain 20 of a suitable form of hoist 22.

Where barrels, such as the barrel I2, are standing on a oor, ready to be dumped, the clamp I8 is simply let down and engaged onto the top rim of the barrel. The hoist 22 is then operated to lift the barrel to an elevation so that the clamp I0 may be engaged on its bottom rim. Following this, the hoist 22 lowers the barrel through the position shown in Fig. 1 to and, if desired,

even beyond the position shown in Fig. 3. The chain or rope carrying the drum tilter l may be either xed as illustrated or operated by a hoist.

The improved drum tilting device l0 as shown in detail in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, comprises a shackle 24 including an upper loop or bent portion 25 made of round stock the end portions of which are respectively integral with parallel flat-sided members 28 forming portions of the sides of a long narrow clevis-like structure. The lower ends of the members 28 are provided with matching lateral holes through which a pivot pin or bolt 3B extends, for pivoting a clamping member 32. The shackle 24 is bowed or bent at 34 in the direction of the opening formed by the jaws of the clamp 32.

The clamping member 32 includes a main body portion forming a generally C-shaped jaw structure comprising an inner jaw 35 having a biting point or a rounded chisel-like edge 31, and an outer jaw 38 having a similar biting point 39. The body of the clamping member includes a projection 40 extending from the jaw 36 opposite the jaw 38 and provided with a hub portion 4| having a laterally extending hole through which the pin or bolt 30 passes for pivoting the clamping member between the shackle members 28. The biting points 31 and 39 of the jaws 3G and 33 are arranged generally in line with the pivot 3S, but are offset with respect to each other so that the projection 43 acts as a lever. The clamping member 32 opposite its jaws is provided with a handle 42 for applying the device to the lower rim or flange of a drum.

The mouth or opening formed by the jaws 33 and 38 is made sufficiently large to accommodate drum or barrel flanges of varying heights or thicknesses. Figs. 2 and 4, for example, illustrate the device in engagement with a drum made of sheet material such as steel. rIhe device is made of steel or other suitable strong metal or alloy and the parts are sufciently thick to readily carry the necessary loads.

The opposite sides of the end portion of the jaw 38 are provided with integral lateral projections or lugs M for engaging the shackle members 28 to limit the swinging of the clamping member. These projections combined with the bend 34 in the members 23 serve to position the clamping member so that both jaws project from the front of the shackle approximately an equal distance, and also to position the inner jaw 35 so that it will engage the rim of a drum when the lugs 44 are resting against the front of the members 28.

The bend 34 in the shackle f, as shown in Fig. 2, also permits the pivot axis to be well under the bottom of the drum so that the heavy weight of the drum, before it is partly emptied, does not apply a high leverage pressure to rotate the clamping member, or a pressure so great that the points of the jaws unnecessarily dig into the drum flange or wall. However, as the tilting operation proceeds, a greater leverage is applied, as the clamping member pivots, for holding the clamping member onto the lower flange of the drum. The device will hold to the bottom of the drum even after the cable or rope 20 and clamp I8 have been lowered to released position, or even removed. The leverage and the biting action of the points of the jaws insure a firm grip.

After a drum has been dumped and returned to its upright position, as for example by taking its weight by the cable 20 and clamp I8, the device l0 will automatically disengage itself when the drum I2 is raised to a position where weight is taken olf the device I9. The jaws 36 and 38 are fixed with respect to each other so that they grip the lower portion of the drum by the leverage action applied at spaced points on opopsite sides of the rim of the drum.

The jaws of the clamp are advantageously arranged, as shown, with oppositely extending relatively sharp offset points 31 and 39 which extend and function like teeth to engage the drum and at the same time take all the pressure or weight in preference to having any appreciable weight or pressure applied against the inner surface of the jaw 36 inward of the point 31. This structure in conjunction with the position of the point 39, for example, prevents the lower end of the drum flange from engaging the surface of the jaw inwardly of its point 31, which might allow slipping of the clamping member, particularly when the drum approaches the position such as that shown in Fig. 3.

The pivot pin 38 is illustrated in the form of a bolt having a head G6, as shown in Fig. 4, with a flat side surface, fitting against a lug 48 formed integral with the lower outer surface of one of the members The lug 48 prevents the. bolt from turning when the clamping member 32 swings in the shackle, thereby preventing the loosening of the nut 5S.

A lug 52 is provided integral with the inner end surface of the opposite member 2B for the purpose of limiting the swinging movement of the clamping member' 32 in its pivoting action when in use. For this purpose the clamping member includes an integral projection 54 which will engage the end of the lug 52 when the clamping member is swung to a somewhat lower position than that illustrated in Fig. 4. It will be noted that the integral projection 54 has a surface in a line approximately tangent to the pin 3U which will engage the right-hand end of the lug 52, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

The lugs or stops 52 and 54 prevent the swinging of the clamping member onto the back side of the shackle thereby facilitating positioning of the clamping member for engaging the lower portion of a drum.

In the use of the device, the jaw points 31 and 39 are in such a position with the lugs 44 resting against the members 28, that the rim of a drum may be engaged. It is not necessary that the inner jaw 36 come in contact with the head of the drum, as for example, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, but both of the points or teeth 31 and 39 may engage the rim.

The device may be used to tip and dump a. drum either while the device IU is supported without vertical movement, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, or while it and the lower end of a drum are elevated by a crane or hoist. In effecting the dumping in either case, the top of the drum may be lowered or held stationary while effecting the dumping operation.

The improved device of the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain since it comprises only two parts pivoted together by a pin, bolt or equivalent pivoting means.

What I claim is:

1. A device for tilting barrels, drums and similar containers having a bottom rim, for emptying their contents, comprising a shackle having a pair of similar spaced supporting members, and a clamping member pivotally supported between said spaced members at the lower ends thereof, a pivot pin extending through the clamping member and the lower ends ci the supporting members, said clamping member including spaced jaws fixed wtih respect to each other, the outer ends of said jaws being oiset with respect to each other and adapted to respectively hook under the bottom rim of a container and engage the outer surface thereof, the outer containerengaging ends of said jaws being approximately an a straight line extending from the pivot axis of the clamping member, the supporting members of the shackle being bent intermediate their ends with the inside of the bend facing in the same direction as the opening between the jaws oi. the clamping member when the clamping member is in its normally upright position, whereby the pivot axis is located under the jaws of the clamping member when in upright position and in engagement with a container.

2. A device for tilting barrels, drums and similar containers having a bottom rim, comprising a clevis-like shackle, a clamping member mounted between the ends of the shackle loop, a pivot pin extending through the ends of the shackle loop and the clamping member therebetween thereby pivoting the clamping member in the shackle,

said clamping member having spaced jaws xed with respect to each other for engaging the bottom rim of a container, said spaced jaws having end portions substantially on a straight line extending from the pivot pin, a projecting lug on the side of the jaw remote from the pivot pin for engaging the shackle for stopping rotation of the clamping member in one direction, and cooperating stops respectively on the shackle and clamping member adjacent the position of the pivot pin for limiting the rotation of the clamping member in the other direction from its position with said lug engaging the shackle to approximately 180.

3. A device for tilting and dumping barrels, drums and similar containers having a bottom rim, comprising a shackle having spaced supporting members, a clamping member pivotally supported between said members at their lower ends, said clamping member including spaced jaws fixed with respect to each other and forming a structure having a substantially C-shaped mouth when Viewed from the side, said clamping member including a portion extending from the lower portion of the C-shaped mouth, said extending portion including means by which the clamping member is pivoted in the shackle, and means on the clamping member for engaging the supporting members and thereby stopping the the rotation of the clamping member in the shackle when the mouth is in its normal upright position with respect to the pivot means and facing away from the supporting members, the supporting members of the shackle being bent laterally intermediate their ends with the inside oi the bend facing in the same direction as the C-shaped mouth of the clamping member when the clamping member is in its upright position.

4. A device for tilting and dumping barrels, drums and similar containers having a bottom rim, comprising a shackle having spaced supporting members, a clamping member pivotally supported between said members at their lower ends, said clamping member including spaced jaws xed with respect to each other and forming a structure having a substantially C-shaped mouth when Viewed from the side, said clamping member including a portion extending from the lower portion of the C-shaped mouth, said extending portion including means by which the clamping member is pivoted in the shackle, a handle on the clamping member projecting in a direction opposite to that of the open side of the C-shaped mouth and extending between the supporting members of the shackle when the clamping member is in its upright position, said handle being adapted to pass between the supporting members of the shackle, and means on the clamping member for engaging the supporting members of the shackle and thereby stopping the rotation of the clamping member in the shackle when the mouth of the clamping member is in its normal upright position with respect to the pivot means and facing away from the supporting members.

5. A device for tilting and dumping barrels, drums and similar containers having a bottom rim, comprising a shackle having spaced supporting members, a clamping member pivotally supported between said members at their lower ends, said clamping member including spaced jaws fixed with respect to each other and forming a structure having a substantially C-shaped mouth when Viewed from the side, said clamping member including a portion extending from the lower portion of the C-shaped mouth, said extending portion including means by which the clamping member is pivoted in the shackle, means on the clamping member for engaging the supporting members and thereby stopping the rotation of the clamping member in the shackle when the mouth is in its normal upright position with respect to the pivot means and facing away from the supporting members, a stop on the shackle adjacent to the pivot means, and a stop on the clamping member adjacent to the pivot means and cooperating with the stop on the shackle for limiting the rotation of the clamping member from its said normal upright position to a rotation through approximately 5. A device for tilting barrels, drums and similar containers having a bottom rim, for emptying their contents, comprising a shackle having a pair of similar spaced supporting members, a clamping member pivotally supported between said spaced members at the lower ends thereof, a pivot pin extending through the clamping member and the lower ends of the supporting members, said clamping member including spaced jaws xed with respect to each other, the outer ends of said jaws being oiTset with respect to each other and adapted to respectively hook under the bottom rim of a container and engage the outer surface thereof, the outer containerengaging ends of said jaws being approximately on a straight line extending from the pivot axis of the clamping member, a handle integral with the clamping member and projecting in a direction opposite to that of the opening between the jaws of the clamping member, the shackle being of greater length than the clamping member whereby said handle is adapted to swing between the supporting side members of the shackle.

EDWARD MERRILL GARDNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,326,802 Strathern Dec. 30, 1919 2,079,240 Bruns May 4, 1937 

